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Cyber Security

Not a Parkinson’s specific blog but one that may be useful to others as well. A number of us here are unfamiliar with computing and social media so this blog has been written to discuss good practice.

Cyber Security

In this world of high technology

I am beset by mythology

Trolls, ghosts, sock-puppets

Seem to think I’m a muppet

What is false and what is real?

Troublesome troll abuse will deal

Often starts to befriend

Causes trouble before end

Can have a one person entourage

Sock-puppets and ghosts form menage

Sockpuppet a profile for deception

Ghost profile empty from inception

Keep personal data under control

Consider new friends, what’s their goal.

If in doubt or seems a little odd

Best thing is to consult a mod

If there is phishing without a license

Caution is the best defence

Do not open anything strange

Your computer it may rearrange

Hacking is usually not techical

They obtained the password so uncool

Guard with care your device

Guard password too my advice

If you browse

As I expouse

Aware of cyber security

Good chance you stay hassle free

Before I go any further with advice I would like to say that all the online Parkinson’s groups I am involved with are secure and safe thanks to the diigence and care of their

admin. I have been on a different forum which is a nice site full of nice people and recently a troll.(an internet troll is someone causing discord on the internet by starting arguements or unsettling people). Usually the troll starts friendly and can be manipulative so that when it changes behaviour it takes people by surprise. If you think someone is a troll tell the mods(no lambrettas in sight-moderators or admin). It could be the crucial piece of information they need to take action.

Sometimes Trolls use more than one profile.They could use a ghost rofile*profile with bare minimum of info on it) Another type is a sockpuppet(another profile used to somehow decieve) ie a secondary profile used where the first one has been blocked. All these are best dealt with the same way. Block if you can but report them to admin. If admin ban them even if they come back on another profile they can be banned again and t will become too much trouble for them.

Do not let anyone you don’t implicitly trust have personal information Then if there is a problem it can’t spread into other areas of your life.

Phishing this is an attempt to obtain sensitve details like your bank info, usually by email. It could happen in two ways either by tricking you or by opening a program that takes the info from your computer when you open the email.Best defence read emails and check who they are from before opening.

You should also get a good security package because they will stop a computer virus(program that harms your computer) or malaware(software that takes info or posts adverts on your computer).

Hacking is not usually done by impressive computer equipment but usually by someonewho guesses your password. Don’t use an an obvious oneie if you have posted pictures of your favourite pet with his name don’t use his name as a password.If you use your computer in a public place don’t leave it unattended or if you do then lock it.If someone guesses your password and your email and you use the same password for a number of things you could be allowing someone a lot of acces.

Final thing. Don’t put anything on the computer that will deeply embarass you. I am talking about things of a sexual nature.What is the worst that can happen?

Certain adult sites from abroad may encourage you to use a webcam purely so they can blackmail you. If that happens google for advice, cut use of the media that got you into trouble. Don’t pay or communicate with them. Some people may be surprised that I include this here but in certain circumstances some people might have hypersexuality caused by their medication. Online may seem a safer way of indulging than in person but webcams can be recorded. I seek only to save somebody a shedload of trouble.

I hope this blog hasn’t put you off. The internet has a lot to offer but we need to take care.